Skif

There are only two negative reviews for this film. It's a shame really to have any but you will always get one person moved to write a review who thinks every movie has to be high art. Then yet another paranoid soul who is convinced every good review of a B grade independent movie must be associated with the production.

Thankfully neither of these things is true and if you want a solid Conan style action flick set in a dark ages type period this lives up to that wish.

The movie has a good feel and moves along nicely after the first twenty minutes. It takes a while to fit all the players into there places but once the action starts you will know who's who and enjoy watching their story arcs play out.

I also see other reviews criticising the costuming, weaponry etc used. I thought they did a good job but I guess there is no accounting for taste.

Great locations, great landscapes. The story is captivating. absolutely not trivial. And the same goes with the characters, very interesting, all of them. I liked a lot also the fact that the setting is not the standard "knight" o "samurai" one, so many of the storylines were pretty new to me, and I would guess to most of the audience. The fight scenes are ok, so does the music. Do not expect too much from dialogue, at the end it's an action movie. I didn't like too much the leading actor, and some FXs (not sure it they can actually be called this way). These however were to me very small flaws. Overall it was a positive surprise, if you are looking for a cloak and dagger movie, and you are willing to explore not-mainstream channels, you won't be disappointed.

I had no idea what to expect from this movie but the good reviews made me give it a shot. An enjoyable ride from start to finish with great action and a decently moving story. This movie has achieved things which huge Hollywood movies can't even do. It's not perfect but for what it was trying to do it did very well. One of the better action movies I've seen in a long time. Give it a watch! If you like epic bloody action, this movie is for you!

Short review today: This movie is generally about two guys traveling together from point A to point B, having a few fighting moments "en passant". The story is simple, honor-packed ending ... acceptable. As far, nothing convincing. Yet there's something interesting in this movie, lets start from the smallest things to the best:

Good fight scenes, especially sword fights of. Lyutobor.

Great choreography and camera.

Awesome sceneries and overall "mediaval" look including costumes (in my opinion just the music was little ... monochromatic). Plus for believable portrait of uneasy coexistence of multiple religions, yet with no deep thoughts or hidden aims, just as it should be.

What this movie shines with are two main characters, Lyutobor and Konitsa. Perfect choice of actors for these two, Aleksandr Kuznetsov really fits and shines. Together they make the movie very enjoyable..

Closing though: Should their journey be longer with less words told and honor and nobility intrigues suppressed, this movie could become a legend.

But it is still worth watching.

In the best moments of Skif, it reminds me of Vikings (with Ragnar!) - we get good and bloody action scenes, nice costumes and settings and here and there even some fine surreal moments (like in Mad Max - the woods tribe and the gladiator scene remind me a lot of the scene in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome). Without any modern Hollywood p.c.-regulations Skif is a really enjoyable and entertaining experience. Recommended if you like movies such as The 13th Warrior, the Conan and the Scorpion King movies etc. To sum it up: no masterpiece but good.